Classic Thank You

Good Morning.  And welcome to my little slice of blog-land.  I am still crafting with what I have in my craft room.  Let me just say, that it can be both overwhelming and liberating at the same time.  I have grown into quite the paper craft hoarder collector.  I believe with all honesty I could open my own paper crafting supply store with what I have on hand.  {yikes}

But, one of my New Year's Resolutions, has been to start using what I have instead of purchasing new supplies.  Now, don't get me wrong, I still make purchases, just a lot smaller in quantity and $$$.  {a whole lot smaller}  

I am playing along with two groups of wonderfully talented paper crafters today.  

My first stop is @ Paper Craft Crew Challenge #309.  Their current challenge is a sketch.  And I love a good sketch.  To me, a good sketch is one that is super versatile and can be embellished or clean and simple.  Here is their sketch:

(Stampin' Up! products used: card stock, glimmer paper, and thin silver cord)

See what I mean!  The circle can be any shape, or item (blossom, doily, star, witch, etc) and the scallop border can be just that, or any other decorative border, or lace.  Can you see it?

My next stop is over @ Word Art Wednesday  This beautiful challenge site, is always Anything Goes, Family Friendly.  Now who wouldn't love to play along with them.  They provide a scripture that you can use with your paper craft, but is not required.  

and here is what I created:

Recipe:  this blank inside greeting card is the typical A2 size (4 1/4" x 5 1/2").  The card base is made with Lagoon card stock by Stampin' Up!.  I just love the hue of this blue.  The blue pattern papers are from American Crafts.  I just love the aquamarine color.  And those grey and white blossoms are just gorgeous!

I used some glitter paper from Stampin' Up! for both the scallop trim and a small banner piece under the sentiment to add sparkle.  I had a scrap piece of a grey plaid pattern paper, so I'm not sure who the manufacturer is, but I believe it is core'dinations.  

I did a slim dark grey matt under the blossom pattern paper, and machine stitched all the layers together.  I also machine stitched the ribbon across the card.  I tied a double bow with the ribbon, and tied the bow to a vintage Aqua Mist button, by Paper Trey Ink, using  thin silver cord by Stampin' Up!.  I hot glued the bow-button combo to the card front.  I added a light grey faux half pearl to the center of the double bow.

I stamped my sentiment: Thank You, in a basic grey classic ink onto a scrap piece of shimmer white card stock by Stampin' Up!.  I used a favorite stamp set by Altnew: Label Love.  I used foam tape to lift the sentiment off the front of the card.

I used my one and only dark grey fabric blossom by CTMH.  I thought it worked perfectly.  And my final touch, was the addition of a trio of brushed silver sequins.

Thank you for looking, and I surely hope you get a chance to create something beautiful today! {smile}

Free Sweets

Howdy.  I have had a busy few weeks with party planning and executing, as well as some time to re-group.   {deep breath}  I am trying to re-find my mojo, to get back on the crafting wagon.  {wishing, fingers crossed, and eyes closed}

I also, needed to create a 'card' and thank a frequent buyer of my cupcakes.  So, I bit the bullet, and just dove-in!  Into my craft room, that is.

I didn't want to chop-up full sheets of 'new' pattern papers, so I went straight for the scrap box.  I knew that I would be able to find something pretty, something that worked with my 'coupon'.  I did.  And now I needed a sketch.  I found an easy-to-use sketch, and reached for my tape runner.

I found this very workable sketch @ Sketch Saturday #472.  I love how you can add little 'pieces' of your own personality to this sketch and create something beautiful!  And, if you can't 'see' your masterpiece, check out what this design team has created.  You will be inspired! {smile}

and I just HAD to stop by Word Art Wednesday to see what their design team has created.  This paper crafting challenging site always has an anything goes theme.  And they have an inspirational quote that you are free to use (but don't have to).  You deserve to reward yourself and see what this clever design team has created.  {smile}

and here is what I created:

recipe:  this is a typical A2 size card: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2".  

I used two different, but coordinating pattern papers. I selected pattern papers that would not compete with the coupon.  I simply adhered them to vanilla/cream card stock, and machine stitched them.  I wanted a double border stitch, to give the card character without distracting.  I inked all the edges of the papers/cardstocks with kraft ink.  Not so much to give it a 'worn' look, but to define the edges.  I wrapped some sparkle-y ribbon around the card front.  I tied a simple bow, and trimmed the edges of the ribbon on the bias, to give the bow a bit of flair!   I used sparkle-y baker's twine to tie a vintage yellow button to the bow.  I selected a yellow button to match the accent on the coupon.  The sentiment banner piece, was adhered to the card front with foam tape, to 'lift' it off the card front.  Viola.  done.

Thank you for looking.  I hope you still have your crafting mojo.  If not, I really want you to do what needs to be done to find it.  We all have battles, and together, we can find our own strengths!  I know that I am blessed.  But, I too, struggle with the realization of that fact.  I need to feel those blessings in my heart, and not just my head.  I am working on that, everyday.  The struggle is real.  But I will win!

{heart} Thanks

~ a few photos ~

Welcome.  I wanted to share a sneak peak of my card for today.  Trying something different.  Want to shake things up, a bit!  Before we start, let me provide a few disclaimers:  There is NO hand-stamping on my card.  And I used a majority of products from the same collection & manufacturer: Prima.  

Now, with that out of the way, let's get to today's post!  Howdy!  I'm happy you are here.  I love participating in paper crafting challenges.  But, like most of you, I don't always have the time I want to craft.  And that is sad.  But, not today!  I carved out a few hours earlier today, to craft a much needed Thank You card.  Unfortunately, I am not participating in several challenges.  Just two.  But don't fret.  I am sure you will like what I made {smile} I know I am happy with how my card turned out.  

This week, is a contest challenge over @ Mojo Monday.  I try my hardest to always participate in these challenges.  I think the design team does some of their best work during these weeks.  And, they do inspire you to play along.  So, that is what I did.  And I will most likely play along this upcoming week, too {smile}

what a clever sketch.  I just love the circle element and the ribbon piece.  The layered rectangles will add so much visual interest and give me a chance to add different patterns/textures!

I am also entering Word Art Wednesday.  They have Anything Goes, Family Friendly challenge.  This group of lovely ladies, will certainly inspire you.  But, what keeps me playing, is their positive, hopeful, and just genuine love of life!  These ladies will raise your spirits, keep your hope strong, and encourage your creativity!

here is what I created:

Recipe:  My card measures a typical A2 size greeting card: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2".  

My card base is made from crumb cake card stock by Stampin' Up!.  I just love their heavy weight card stock, and the color is just dreamy!

The matts are Blush Blossom card stock by Stampin' Up!.  This beautifully sweet peachy/blush color has been retired for 10yrs.  It's a hoarded collected treasure.  {smile}

The pattern papers are all from Something Blue by Prima.  I wanted to use the neutral colors, and then add a soft, splash of color: blush.  Something sweet, to accompany Something Blue.

I matted all three pattern papers onto blush blossom, and added a simple machine stitching around each rectangle.  I thought it added a softness, a homespun look & feel, and gave it a little vintage-y look.  {smile}  I sponged all the edges of the pattern papers and matts with tea stain ink.

For my circle element, I added a new small lace doily by Stampin' Up! (#142793).  These beautifully delicate doilies are white on one side, and vanilla/cream on the other.  How super clever of Stampin' Up!.  I hot glued a Something Blue dark grey blossom to the card front where the polka dot and text pattern papers meet.    I love how the dark text pattern paper isn't black, but rather a dirty grey.  So I mimicked that color in my blossom.  I wanted to repeat the blush color, so I added a tiny brad with a blush heart, next to the blossom.                              I wrapped coconut seam binding around the card front.  I just love this neutral color.  It doesn't distract your eye, but rather allows your eye to move across the card.  I adhered a wooden sentiment banner to the card front.  I was already stamped with 'THANK YOU'.  So, I didn't have to add a sentiment.              
I tied a piece of coconut seam binding into a triple bow, and adhered it to the wooden sentiment banner piece.  I thought the bow looked beautifully there, instead of below the sentiment.                                  
To finish my card, I added a trio of blush sequins from Close To My Heart.  Just to add a little splash of color, and a little more femininity to my card.

Thank you for stopping by.  I hope your weekend is finishing strong!  We are getting ready for another winter storm to move-in.  We are expecting snow later today/evening.  Take care, and until next time, Happy Crafting!  It really does make your soul happy!

Secret Garden Tea

Welcome.  I had a great afternoon tea with some very special, and dear girlfriends today.  {smile}  We ate delicious, delicate, tiny morsels and drank perfectly paired tea.  Devine!

I had such a lovely time, I simply can't stop smiling.  So, in my hand-made style, I crafted some 'Thank You' cards to send to these ladies.  {smile}

I stopped by a 'new to me' sketch challenge site, to get a direction.  I went to Your Next Stamp to play along with their sketch challenge.  

I wanted to make a card that is feminine, and pretty.  So, this is what I came up with:

Recipe:  This is a typical A2 size card (4 1/4" x 5 1/2").  The card base is Lost Lagoon from Stampin' Up!.  I used this pretty pattern paper from Belle Vie and the Julie Nutting collection.  I added some machine stitching.  I also added some purposefully short trims:  a vintage cream, cotton eyelet trim, and an antique rose seam binding.  I tied a simple bow and adhered it to the card front.  I hand-stamped the sentiment and used a hand held decorative label shape punch.  I added two black brads to hold the sentiment to the card front.  I wanted some bling, so I added a trio of flat back rhinestones.  Viola!  Quick, easy, and super pretty!

Thank you for looking.  I need to get back into my craft room and create 11 more. {smile}  I hope you have been influenced to play along with this sketch challenge!

Thank You

A huge Thank You to my followers who have stuck it out with me.  I have been slacking lately on blogging, and I don't really have an excuse other than life has gotten in the way.  But, I imagine all of you are in the same boat.  Life, just gets busy.  And we, as women, have a long list of responsibilities, and very few minutes of the day, to call our own.  

I started a new exercise program in January.  New Year, New You.  It occupies 3 evenings of my free time.  It is also running season for me, and that occupies 3 evenings of my free time.  I still work full time, and still attend various functions for my grandchildren, and spend time with them baking, doing art projects, talking, reading, and well, you get the idea.  I also try to add new products to my Etsy shop weekly.  I am a demonstrator for Stampin' Up! and a jewelry designer for KEEP Collective.  So, when I say that I have just a few minutes, I have just a few minutes to myself.

I am NOT using all of this as my excuse, I'm just explaining my commitments.  I love crafting.  I love baking.  And I love sharing.  So, one of this New Year's resolutions, is to have a better grip on time management.  PLEASE bear with me.  I can say with whole hearted honesty, that I will post two times a week here.  (You can also see/read what I'm doing on Facebook, InstaGram, and Twitter.)   There may be weeks when I post more.  But not everything will be paper crafting.  I want to share cooking/baking, running, and various crafting with you.  One of the new things I want to start posting is what I'm calling 'triple T'.   It will be a post on Tuesdays that will have a Tip, Trick, or Technique.  That way, I can also share with you what I do.  I hope that you stay for the ride.

Thank you for your continued support, your devotion, and your interest.  Now, let's craft something!